Not only does Paul teach us to let our words be with grace, he also said they need to be seasoned with salt.
“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you should answer everyone” (Col. 4:6, MEV).
Our words need to be seasoned with salt. I want to tell you about salt that is good for you and good for those around you. Think about what salt does by design: it flavors and preserves.
When you put salt on any food, what does the salt do for that particular item? Salt, in itself, is not necessarily the flavoring of the actual material you are eating. Salt enhances the flavor of what is already there. That is why you do not have to buy cheeseburger salt, chicken salt, and french fry salt separately. All you need to buy is salt, because it brings out whatever flavor is there to a higher level.
Salt Quality Number 1: Adding flavor to others. The exhortation is to add flavor to others when you speak to them. Use your words to bring out the flavor of who they are. To do this, you need to see them according to who God has called them to become and align your words with that picture. Imagine each person being a beautifully prepared recipe of ingredients that add flavor to life. Walk up to someone and say, “The flavor you add to life is delicious!”
In all seriousness, people are so bombarded with words that deflate them; why not add value and life to their hearts? Others will walk in a better understanding and confidence of who they are. We are all encouraged by this and think, “Wow, it is encouraging to know people are noticing that in my life.” What we pay attention to and affirm will grow in others. The more we do this, life is breathed into their identities.
So here is your question: Do people gain more flavor in their life by being around you? Ask yourself, “Am I a flavor enhancer?” If not, start today by speaking encouraging words.
Salt Quality Number 2: Preserving righteousness in people’s lives. Salt has an ability to preserve. Your words can preserve righteousness in people’s lives, or in other words, preserve the identity of God in them.
When God delivers us and sets us free, we engage in what the Bible calls sanctification, a process of being set apart from ways that are not of God and putting on the new identity that He has given us. Part of that word sanctification also means “to preserve.” When we are walking in sanctification, we are not only being set free from something, we are being preserved in what we are now gaining. For example, when someone becomes delivered from rage, they are able to walk in a greater dimension of patience. That person has become sanctified from rage and is now being preserved in patience. God is seeking to preserve us in the ways He has established for us. That is why Paul said in 1 Thessalonians:
“May the very God of peace sanctify you completely. And I pray to God that your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23 MEV).
If our words are seasoned with salt, we preserve righteousness in the lives of those around us. Your words can keep people strong in the ways of the kingdom. You keep the nature of God powerfully alive in them, preserved for eternity.
In what way can you help encourage and preserve the nature of God in someone else’s identity?
Mark DeJesus has been equipping people in a full time capacity since 1995, serving in various roles, including teaching people of all ages, communicating through music, authoring books, leading and mentoring. Mark’s deepest love is his family: his wife Melissa, son Maximus and daughter Abigail. Mark is a teacher, author and mentor who uses many communication mediums, including the written word, a weekly radio podcast show and videos. His deepest call involves equipping people to live as overcomers. Through understanding inside out transformation, Mark’s message involves getting to the root of issues that contribute to the breakdown of our relationships, our health and our day to day peace. He is passionately reaching his world with a transforming message of love, healing and freedom. Out of their own personal renewal, Mark and Melissa founded Turning Hearts Ministries, a ministry dedicated to inside out transformation. Mark also founded Transformed You, a communication platform for Mark’s teachings, writing and broadcasts that are designed to encourage people in their journey of transformation. Mark and Melissa currently live in Connecticut.
For the original article, visit markdejesus.com.
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